House Bill

HB 1539

Education matters.

In plain English

Requires a public school to notify a parent within 24 hours after a student alleges employee misconduct, and to give written notice to the employee and parent within 14 days if the allegation is dismissed or unsubstantiated. Changes the definition of "bullying" and shortens the deadline for telling parents of bullying incidents from five business days to one. Also sets rules for transferring students involved in bullying to another school.

Written by AI from the official digest below, and checked only by automated rules. If they differ, the official digest and bill text control.

Official digest

Requires a public school to do the following: (1) Notify a parent of a student not later than 24 hours after the student makes an allegation that an employee of the public school engaged in misconduct. (2) If the public school determines that an allegation is unsubstantiated or otherwise dismissed, provide written notification to the employee and parent of the student not later than 14 days after the determination. Amends the definition of "bullying". Provides that certain discipline rules adopted by the governing body of a school corporation include timetables for reporting of bullying incidents to the parents of both the targeted student and the alleged perpetrator not later than one business day after the incident is reported. (Current law provides reporting of bullying incidents not later than five business days after the incident is reported.) Requires the governing body of a school corporation to: (1) require a school corporation to determine the severity of an incident of bullying and whether the incident may warrant transfer of the victim or the alleged perpetrator to another school in the school corporation; and (2) require a school corporation to approve the transfer of a victim or the alleged perpetrator of an act of bullying to another school in the school corporation under certain circumstances.

Latest action: First reading: referred to Committee on Education and Career Development, March 3, 2025Full text and history at iga.in.gov

Authors and sponsors

Vernon Smith, Jeff Raatz, Mark Spencer, J.D. Ford

Co-authors and co-sponsors: Bob Behning, Becky Cash, Sheila Klinker

Roll-call votes

1 recorded vote, oldest first. Third-reading votes decide whether a bill passes a chamber; amendment votes and procedural motions are listed too.

House · Feb 18, 2025

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: HB 1539 - Smith V - 3rd Reading

Passed

92 yes0 no8 did not vote

Republicans: 65 yes, 0 no, 5 did not voteDemocrats: 25 yes, 0 no, 3 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 noNot matched to a current member: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (92)

Did not vote (8)

Source: Open States, compiled from the Indiana General Assembly's official roll calls. The official record at iga.in.gov controls. Spot an error? Let us know.